University of Denver Men's Swimming head coach Brian Schrader has announced the addition of 13 student-athletes to the men's swim team for the 2016-17 season.
"I love the variety, talent, and people that we have in this incoming class," Schrader said. "We have a few athletes that are YMCA national champions, state champions, national champions, and a few that want a chance to be a part of a strong Division I program and see how they might improve. I think this class represents some truly great students, and also covers the spectrum of events."
Sid Farber--Portland, OR--Lincoln High School--Freestyle
Sid Farber swam for the Lincoln High School swim team and was named to the All-Conference First Team during his junior year, as well as Second Team All-State. He started his senior year with a sixth place finish at the Winter Junior Nationals in the 50 freestyle event, followed by winning Oregon's State Championship in the 50 and 100 freestyle. This past March at senior sectionals, he placed second overall and received his Olympic Trial and US Open cut times. He currently ranks first in the nation for 17 year-old swimmers in the 50 free on USA Swimming's age group rankings.
"Sid was a great find for us, and we were excited to have him sign an NLI in the fall," Schrader said. "He is a talented freestyler, and we know he has some great speed-- he was a finalist at Winter Juniors in the 50 freestyle and earning Olympic Trials cuts this spring in the 50 freestyle. He was part of a YMCA national champion 200 medley relay at Red Bank Y and now is training with Jody Braden at Portland Aquatic Club. He will be a national level competitor for us in the short events and contribute on all of our relays."
Sid is the son of Jeffrey Farber and Renee Carisio-Farber. He is the younger brother of Jeremy, Rachel, Margaret and Stephen. Farber was a member of the Outdoor Club, which raised over $900 in his community for a local little league baseball team, and he was on the Honor Roll for all four years of high school. Outside of swimming, Sid enjoys baseball, snowboarding, backpacking, hiking and surfing.
S.Farber Top Times: 50 Free: 20.26 (23.05 LCM); 100 Free: 45.23 (52.55 LCM)
Colin Gilbert - Kamloops, B.C. - Westsyde Secondary School -- Freestyle/ Butterfly
Colin Gilbert is a swimmer from Westsyde Secondary School in Kamloops, B.C. He has been a member of Kamloops Classic Swimming for seven years (2009-2016) and was named the Kamloops Male Athlete of the Year in 2014. Colin is a seven-time age group National Champion and won a silver medal in the 800 free at the 2015 Canadian Summer Championships. He won two bronze medals for Canada at the 2015 Australian Age Championships in Sydney, and was recently named to the Canadian roster for the 2016 Junior Pan Pacific Championships this summer in Maui, Hawaii. This is the first major junior national meet that Gilbert will swim in.
"One of our highest priorities for this incoming class was to sign and continue to bring in elite level distance and middle distance swimmers with a great work ethic and character, and Colin represented what we were looking for," Schrader said. "He has represented Canada on the Youth World Championship team, and will be on the Canadian Junior Pan Pac Team this summer. He was a finalist at the Canadian Olympic Trials in the 1500 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle and 200 Butterfly. He will impact us immediately in all of these events, and our goal is to see him at the NCAA championships."
Colin is the son of Mark and Katti Gilbert. He has one younger sister, Tatiana (21). Outside of swimming, his hobbies include barbecuing, hiking, art shows, biking and music. He also volunteers at local Kamloops Classic Swimming competitions.
C. Gilbert Top Times: 200 Free: 1:50.61 LCM; 400 Free: 3:54.52 LCM; 1500 Free: 15:44.70 LCM; 200 Fly: 2:01.20 LCM
Jesse Haraden - Ballston Spa, New York - Ballston Spa High School - Distance Freestyle
Jesse Haraden is a three-time school record holder and was the captain of his high school swim team during his senior season. He was the sectional champion in the 500 freestyle event in both 2015 and 2016, and was also named a Section II Division I Second Team All-Star in 2016.
"Our distance program will be better with Jesse Haraden as a part of it," Schrader said. "Jesse is coming from the excellent age group coaching of Jerry Adams from Schnectady Swim Club. He is tall and has a gift for the physical and mental demands of longer events. He will be contributing immediately in dual meets in the 1000 and we look forward to seeing where he takes his mile."
Jesse is the son of Jeffrey and Kara Haraden, and the brother of current Denver Women's team member Karly Haraden. He is also the older brother to Dylan (15) and Brady (14). He is a member of the National Honor Society and his career goals include becoming a successful businessman. Outside of swimming, Jesse enjoys hiking, ultimate frisbee and football.
J. Haraden Top Times: 500 Free: 4:41.37; 1000 Free: 9:41.04; 1650 Free: 16:08.46
Robin Kuebler - Centennial, Colo. - Grandview High School -Freestyle
Robin Kuebler is a local swimmer coming to the University of Denver from Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. He swam for his high school varsity swim team and was also a team captain. Robin earned Academic All-American honors and was named an All-American as part of his relay team. He was an All-State team member for four years, winning the 50 free in the Centennial A league and earning second place overall in the 100 freestyle event. Robin also swam for the Colorado Stars from 20015-13.
"One of our recruiting goals is to always see if we can gain commitments from the best athletes in Colorado, and we feel like Robin might be one of the best freestylers in the state and region," Schrader said. "He is a tall, outstanding student, and his improvement rate in the 50, 100, and 200 Freestyle in the last two years has been on a curve we look for in developing athletes that will be impactful at the Division I level. He comes highly recommended by his high school coach, Marcus Christianson."
Robin is the son of Juergen Kuebler and Dominique Begout-Kuebler. He is the older brother of Madeleine (16), Amandine (13), Emelina (9) and Cecilia (6). Outside of swimming, he enjoys reading, writing, playing racquetball, rock climbing and hiking. He is also a summer league swim coach for the Chapparal Sharks.
R. Kuebler Top Times: 50 Free: 21.28; 100 Free: 46.92; 200 Free: 1:41.13
Warren Sexson - Mahtomedi, Minnesota - St. Thomas Academy -- Freestyle
Warren Sexson is the captain of his club swimming team and holds four records on his club team. In 2014-15, he was a State Champion in the 500 free at Saint Thomas Academy and was named to the All-State, All-Conference and All-American teams. Warren is the state record holder in the 500 free, 400 free relay, and 200 free. He is also a State Champion in the 1000 free for the Saint Cray Swim Club team, as well as a State Champion in the 1650 freestyle event.
"Warren is an outstanding middle distance specialist coming from Minnesota," said Schrader. "A tall outstanding student, he helped lead St. Thomas to the Minnesota State Team Championships with his first place finishes in the 200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle, picking up Junior National standards on the way, as well as two Class A high school state records. He swims club under the excellent coaching of Olga Espinosa at St. Croix swim club."
Warren is the son of Alex and Julie Sexson. He has two sisters, Amanda (20) and Audrey (14). Outside of swimming, he enjoys skiing, scuba diving and golf. He serves as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Hearts 4 Charity, as well as doing short-term mission work in Haiti.
W. Sexson Top Times: 200 Free: 1:39.79; 500 Free: 4:35.36; 1650 Free: 15:53.44
Teddy Smith - Fair Haven, N.J. - Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School - Fly/Freestyle
Teddy Smith comes to Colorado from Fair Haven, New Jersey. His high school varsity team is a two-time Divisional Champion, as well as the 2015 Central C State Sectional Champions. He won the 200 medley relay and earned All-American honors at the 2016 YMCA National Championship. He is also a two-time All-American in the 50 fly (eighth place) and 100 fly (11th place) at the YMCA LCM Nationals.
"Teddy was part of a YMCA national champion relay with Syd Farber at Red Bank YMCA, so it is really fun to have one half of a national level winning relay as part of our incoming class," Schrader stated. "Teddy is a talented butterfly swimmer, and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop in his butterfly events and develop some freestyle sprinting as well."
Teddy is the son of Brad and Laurie Smith. He has one younger brother, Robby (16). His hobbies include surfing, woodworking, hiking and fishing. He is also the founder and owner of Octo Surf Supply in which he manufactures and designs wooden hand planes, skateboards and bowls. Teddy helped establish regular sales at local surf shops, as well as advertising and promoting his business on social media.
T. Smith Top Times: 100 Fly: 49.96; 200 Free: 1:43.54; 500 Free: 4:41.36
Hugo Sykes - Weston, Connecticut - Weston High School -Freestyle
Hugo Sykes is a swimmer from Weston High School, located in Weston, CT. He is a YMCA National Champion and had a successful season with the Wilton Y Wahoos. He had the fastest time in the 50 (23.38) and 100 (51.46) freestyle splits and also won the 50 free event with a time of 20.33.
"We were excited to have Hugo commit in the fall and his continued excitement and enthusiasm about getting faster was fun to watch over the winter season," Schrader added. "He had a great Y nationals meet this spring with Wilton Y Wahoos, having the fastest 50 and 100 Freestyle splits in the entire field, and winning the 50, as well as anchoring two second place relays. He is part of an incoming class here at Denver that will help push our relays into the NCAA's."
Hugo is the son of Chris Sykes and the younger brother of Eleanor (23) and Lydia (21). He chose to attend DU because he really liked the coaching staff and swim team, and believes Denver can offer incredible opportunities both in and out of the water.
H. Sykes Top Times: 50 Free: 20.33 (19.68 relay, 23.38 LCM); 100 Free: 44.68 (43.70 relay, 51.46 LCM); 200 Free: 1:38.45
Neil Wachtler - Waco, Texas - Midway High School -Backstroke/IM
Neil Wachtler hails from Waco, Texas and swam for the Midway High School swim team. He was named MVP in 2015 and 2016 for his high school team, and was also named to the All-State Team in 2015 and 2016. Wachtler swam for his club team (HEAT) from 2012-16 and was a junior national qualifier.
"A native Texan coming north to the Colorado frontier, we are excited to have Neil Wachtler from Heart of Texas Swim Club be a part of this freshman class," Schrader said. "He is a national level backstroke swimmer and his freestyle will also help our depth in the 200 and our relays. Another tall, outstanding student, he helps round out this class very nicely. Our staff feels like he is just touching his potential and will have some nice drops moving forward."
Neil is the son of Peter and Erica Wachtler. He has two younger brothers, David (10) and Eric (5). Wachtler chose to attend Denver because liked the swim team and the coaching staff, and he can see himself being successful here.
N. Wachtler Top Times: 100 Back: 50.10; 200 Back: 1:49.71; 200 IM: 1:52.61; 400 IM: 4:01.15; 100 Free: 46.51; 200 Free: 1:41.60
Jackson Breen
"Jackson is coming from Ames, Iowa, highly recommended by former high school and college coaching great Trip Hedrick," said Schrader. "We know Jackson is going to be a great addition to our squad on attitude and academics alone, however we know his potential to help our team in the butterfly and backstroke events will develop quickly. His great improvement curve in high school swimming will trend well in college."
J. Breen Top Times: 100 Fly: 50.70; 200 Fly: 1:54.21; 100 Back: 52.57
Stephen Calkins
"Stephen will arrive in Denver having represented Canada this summer at the Junior Pan Pacs and the prior year at the Youth World Championships," Schrader stated. "He is tall, talented, and we are excited to bring a freestyler and butterflyer come in to our program that will immediately be competing at a national level. Stephen made the B final in the 100 Freestyle at this spring's Canadian Olympic Trials, and will help us take our relays to another level at Denver."
S. Calkins Top Times: 50 Free: 23.55 LCM; 100 Free: 50.58 LCM (49.95 relay); 200 Free: 1:53.31 LCM; 100 Fly: 55.32 LCM; 100 Back: 57.99 LCM
Xavier Kelly
"A Swiss and Australian citizen, Xavier is a backstroker and freestyler from Huenenberg, Switzerland,' Schrader said. "He is going to add some fun leadership to our team-- his is captain of his swimming and soccer team and is relatively new to swimming. I know he is going to maximize all of his opportunities here at DU, and we know his pursuit of doing things well will help our team."
X. Kelly Top Times: 100 Back: 58.45 LCM; 100 Free: 53.93 LCM
Craig Robrock
"Craig is coming from a strong club and high school background in Minnesota," Schrader added. "He was a state finalist in the 200 IM in Minnesota, and we expect to see him continue to improve in both the 200 IM and 400 IM, but we think he is a versatile athlete that will have many paths to improve to a national level athlete. Brother of current Denver men's team member Kyle Robrock."
C. Robrock Top Times: 200 IM: 1:55.00; 400 IM: 4:08.15
Peter Webster
"Coming from the UK, Peter is an outstanding student, and a national level backstroker in the UK," Schrader said. "We are looking to see him continue developing his backstroke both underwater and above, and seeing him develop his freestyle and butterfly to help our depth in those events."
P. Webster Top Times: 50 Free: 24.73 LCM (23.33 relay); 100 Free: 53.60 LCM; 100 Fly: 57.61 LCM
